The musicals of the future often start in professional readings and workshops. Here are three on the drawing board.

Erin Davie

Many of your favorite musicals and plays began life as readings, which are just what they sound like. The playwright gathers a group of professional actors to read through the script so the author can hear what it sounds like, often for the first time.

Some are open to the public; some are “industry only,” meaning that they are open only to invited theatre professionals. ”Staged readings” are more elaborately presented, sometimes with staging and rudimentary costumes.

Here are three planned for the coming weeks:

Mount Rushmore: The Fifth Man (November 3) A play about sculptor Gutzon Borglum by Rose-Marie Brandwein will be presented in staged reading format at Polaris North (245 W. 29th St. in Manhattan) starting at 7 PM. J.K. Musser directs a cast that includes Ange Berneau, Damian Bosco, Jean Brookner, Allan Brown, Elizabeth Caruso, Paul Hummel, Emil G. Keller, Cam Kornman, James Pyecka, and John Sannuto. Admission is free. Members of the entertainment industry are encouraged to attend. For reservations call (212) 260-8052 or e-mail scotti@scottirhodespublicity.com.

Love and War (November 3 and 4) A romantic musical set during World War II will have a “29 hour reading,” directed by Daniel Goldstein (Godspell), with book by J. Todd Allan, music by Peter B. Allen, and lyrics by Allan, Allen, and Mathayu Warren-Lane. Ken Davenport serves as executive producer. The cast includes Jeremy Kushnier, Liz Larsen, Ben Jacoby, Allison Semmes, Steffanie Leigh, A.J. Shively, James Judy, Antoine L. Smith, Claudia Yanez, Will Ray, J. Michael Finley, Thursday Farrar, Jennifer Reed, Kate Loprest, and Ellis C. Dawson III. The reading will be held at the Roy Arias Theatres in Manhattan on November 3 at 2 PM and November 4 at 11 AM. The event is open to “theatre professionals,” who are asked to contact info@loveandwarmusical.com to arrange tickets.

Paris Through the Window (November 10–11) A musical coming-of-age story based on the story of real-life poet Alan Seeger. Music by Leo Hurley, book and lyrics by Charles Osborne. The cast includes Erin Davie, Ed Dixon, Darius Harper, Travis Kent, and others. Open only to invited theatre industry guests and Abingdon Theatre Company subscribers.